Here!—bring me the wine cup!—with feelings of glory
I drink to the health and the triumph of
Hone!
When Posterity hail the bright light of his
story,
They will weep that so noble a
spirit is gone!
He will rise on their minds like a
soul-thrilling vision,
All radiant
with Honesty, Honour and Truth!
And while Elders
exult in the Jury's decision,
Warm
plaudits will burst from the bosom of youth.
How bravely he breasted the storm of his
foemen!
How Corruption he fearlessly
rose to redress!
From his Juries' just verdicts we
snatch a bright omen—
Britons ever shall boast of a
Freedom of Press!!
Though the stern man of
Law look'd defiance and terror,
And
fain would have crush'd with omnipotent sway;
Undaunted he scatter'd the dark clouds of Error,
And sprang from the furnace far purer than
they!
[Addressed:] Mr. Hone, Bookseller, Ludgate Hill.